We don’t buy into the idea that it is a satanic holiday or a socialistic holiday in which the entitled go around in disguises wanting something for nothing. Also, there is no ID necessary, not today.

In fact, this is a day that is almost entirely about the community. Neighbors meet neighbors. People go to churches and other worthwhile organizations for trunk-or-treats. And others travel into different neighborhoods to see decorations, and of course, get all the candy a plastic pumpkin can handle and more.

We say the more the better.

However, we also see this holiday a little differently. It should be first and foremost about family. In the busy pace that is today’s Midland, it seems like more and more things cut into our time together. Today, that shouldn’t be the case. If you can, get home early to see your kids right after they put on their costume. If you have family members working for you and the opportunity allows, let them off a little early so they can be with their family.

We have heard a local pastor talk about those “God moments” -- those God-centered moments where we show our compassion for others. They are those moments that meets someone else’s need, even a child who wants a parent or both parents to walk them around an awfully big and potentially scary world.

The same can be said of buying that extra bag of candy and turning on the porch light to show goodwill to others who you likely will not know but will have the opportunity to meet, even if for a split second.

For some it might not be a God moment but a needed family moment, and we are all for that, too.

Thursday night should be about what is right in Midland. We can push everything else to the back burner and focus on community, family and being the Midland that many have called home for decades.